School Meals

The Dinner Menu

Bow Hill Autumn 2026 Menu

Packed Lunch Guidance

Allergen Matrix (pdf)

About School Meals

For the first three years at school (Reception to end of Year 2) your child is entitled to a funded school meal at lunchtime and we encourage you to take up this offer.

Our meals are cooked on site daily by our dedicated catering team and the menu changes termly.

From Year 3 onward, meals cost £2.50 per day, payable on School Gateway, where you can also select and order the meal.   Your child may still be entitled to a free school meal if you are in receipt of any of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
  • Income Support (IS).
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190).
  • Working Tax Credit run-on  (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).

Please ask at the office if you are unsure.   We strongly recommend you apply for a free school meal for your child if you qualify – not only will your child have a hot meal at lunchtime, the school will also benefit as a percentage of our funding is linked to the number of free school meals.

The link for parents to find out about Free School Meals is called the Devon Portal:
How to apply
Apply through the Devon Citizens Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision. Alternatively, call the Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.

Booking School Meals Via School Gateway

As from September 2019, all school meals should be booked and paid for via School Gateway. This means that you are able to order/select and pay for your child’s school meals online. Many of you already have the School Gateway app downloaded and use it to pay for trips. The price of a school meal is £2.50.

Should you be in receipt of Free School Meals (KS2) or Universal Free School Meals (Reception and KS1) you will still need to go online and book your child’s meal. The system will recognise that payment will not be required.

If you are not currently using the School Gateway app please follow the link below for quick and easy instructions:

www.schoolgateway.co.uk/get-started/

By using this app, we are also able to message you straight to your device for free, saving the school funds. Please drop by the school office if you are in need of any technical support and they will do their best to assist you.

Below are some tips on using School Gateway:

  • In order to make on-line meal bookings, please make sure that you have downloaded the School Gateway app, and registered by clicking on the new user tab, entering your email address and mobile number, then entering the four digit PIN which will be sent to you. Once this is done, you will be able to see your child(ren) listed along with tabs for Lunches, Breakfast Club and After School Club.
  • To book your child’s meal, tap/click on the arrow beside Lunches and then choose the date for which you want to book the meal (on the App, you will have to click on the date and then the menu will appear below. Using a PC you will have a week’s menu appear on the screen).
  • To choose a meal, click/tap on it – the choice should now turn blue. If using the app, scroll down until you see a blue “confirm booking” button – by tapping on this you are making your booking. If using a PC you can make multiple choices then confirm booking(s). If you forget to tap the “Confirm Booking” button, your choice will be held for two hours after which it will be forgotten, so we recommend that you confirm the booking immediately.
  • If your child receives Universal Free School Meals or Free School Meals, there will be no cost and the system should confirm that your booking has been made with no payment required.
  • When adding credit to School Gateway, please ensure you are adding it to the Lunches section.
  • Meal choices MUST be made two weeks in advance. This is because of the ordering system. Sitting down with your child and booking a week, half term or whole term at a time!
  • Please communicate with your child so they know what meal has been ordered for them, as we will be unable to change a meal selection if it has been ordered at home.
  • If for any reason, you have been unable to make a booking at home, please rest assured that your child(ren) will always have the opportunity to choose a meal in the morning when the dinner register is done in class.
  • You are able to check the allergens in any main meal by clicking on the arrow on each meal. However, if we have been told of your child’s allergies/intolerances, you should not be able to view any main meals which contain them, and therefore they should not be available as an option to choose. Please ensure we are aware of any dietary needs.
  • If you are making a packed lunch for your child, please ensure you follow the guidance for a healthy packed lunch. Please remember this is a nut free school so not Nutella, hazelnut chocolate bars etc.